Answer:
The minimum time, t = 21.11 m
Step-by-step explanation:
Given,
The maximum distance between the Earth and Mars, d = 780,000,000 km
The maximum distance between the Earth and Mars, d = 780,000,000 km
The speed of the light, c = 300,000 km/s
The distance and speed of the object is related using the formula,
v = d / t
t = d / v
The minimum time it takes for data transmission is when the distance between the Mars and the Earth is at minimum.
Therefore,
t = 380,000,000 km / 300,000 km/s
= 1266.67 s
= 21.11 minutes
Hence, the minimum time it takes for data transmitted by the Mars Surveyor to reach earth, t = 21.11 minutes